Learning Italian from the Saddle: Language Classes & the Coast of Apulia
7 nights from €1950
5Experience Italian culture through immersive language and cooking classes
Cycling along the coastline of Apulia while also enjoying an Italian language course?! Yes!
Enjoy this unique experience - getting in touch with the land, the people, and the wonderful culture on this cycling vacation in the heel of Italy's boot. This guided tour offers a terrific balance between cycling, guided walking tours, stops along the coastline for swimming, and an intensive Italian language course led by professional instructors.
Lessons take place in the shade of olive trees and pines or on the terrace and garden of a farmhouse - informal settings and atmosphere to make the learning experience so pleasant. The best way to learn Italian and to discover south Italy!
Daily Program
Day 1: Individual arrival and welcome to Otranto
Upon arrival to Otranto, check in to your first hotel and have the initial briefing of the trip.
Overnight in Otranto
Day 2: Otranto and surroundings
18 miles/29km
The first cycle route of the tour takes you along the river "Idro" the namesake of the city in which you are riding. You will visit an ancient Byzantine crypt from the 13th century and then you arrive in Casamassela, where ancient looms are still being used nowadays at “Le Costantine” foundation.
In Giurdignano, you cross a Bronze age megalithic garden, where to observe closely its “dolmen” and “menhir” - prehistorical monuments. Among huge stones and majestic olive trees you do the first test for the division of the group into levels.
For lunch, visit and tasting in one of the most characteristic bakery in the region, where a farming family has decided to transform ancient grains into baked goods with an ancient flavor.
Return to Otranto and have a free afternoon to visit the city. Possibility of a horse ride at sunset.
Overnight in Otranto
Day 3: Otranto – Castro
19 miles/30km
This day is dedicated to one of the most fascinating portions of the Italian coast, where different towers, originating from the XVI century, rise facing the sea. You will see the remarkable beauty of the Palascía lighthouse and a unique lake emerged in a disused bauxite quarry of considerable beauty.
It is the most eastern spot of the peninsula: when the sky is clear you can see the mountains of Albania and Greece across the bay.
In the afternoon the Italian classes will be held on the roof of the hotel.
Overnight in Castro
Day 4: Castro – Santa Maria di Leuca
17 miles/27km
You carry on through the Otranto-Leuca coast, the so-called “park road," with its outstanding panorama. At the arrival in Marina Serra, an Italian lesson will take place in a coastline pine forest.
In the afternoon, you will rest by a picturesque inlet where it will be also possible to swim. Later you reach Santa Maria di Leuca, where you can enjoy the sunset over the Ionian Sea.
Overnight in Santa Maria di Leuca
Day 5: Santa Maria di Leuca
Today is a day to relax without cycling! After breakfast join the group for another Italian lesson, followed by a late morning boat ride with lunch on board!
Day 6: Leuca – Gallipoli
38 miles/61 km
Today you will spend time learning Italian as you cycle through the villages and the phenomenol region of "Capo di Leuca". Visiting
Today will be jam-packed of Italian lessons while you cycle across the villages around the astonishing area known as “Capo di Leuca”.
Visiting ancient towers, underground oil mills, the ruin of a pre-Roman city, a Mausoleum that holds traces of Byzantine frescoes, a semi-abandoned castle and an ancient pilgrims station with its incredible immense underground gives you ample time to practice your Italian lessons with the teachers!
In the afternoon, you will again come to the ionic coastlines of St. Andrew’s island and Punta Pizzo Netural Park. In Gallipoli you can enjoy an aperitif on a terrace overlooking the sea. A small fisherman's village, located on an island is a striking scene with the way the light hits the town's alleys and fish market.
Overnight in Gallipoli
Day 7: Gallipoli loop tour and cooking class
Today you will test what you have learned this week as you embark on a cooking lesson and family lunch in a local farmhouse. You will learn from a true Italian mother as she teaches you to cook some of the regional specialties entirely in Italian!
Cycling start in the morning from Gallipoli to Alezio, the ancient Messapian city, then onward to Sannicola. Cycle onward to "Tenuta mamma Anna" - a family-run “agritourism” where the cooking class will take place.
The products are harvested directly from the family garden and then brought into the kitchen for preparation: "pitta di patate" (a kind of potato gateau, with a stuffing of tomatoes, olives, capers, onion and tuna), "pittule" (some fried dough balls), filled with tomatoes and capers, or empty to taste with honey) and hand-made orecchiette (a typical local pasta, shaped like an ear, prepared with fingers and a knife), the "pasticciotto cake" (a cake made with shortcrust pastry, filled with chantilly cream); These are some of the dishes that may be prepared.
After you learn the art of cooking these delicious meals, you will enjoy the meal with the family and friends you have made along the way.
You will then return to Gallipoli.
Overnight in Gallipoli
Day 8: Departure
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Otranto: Hotel Resort Vittoria
Castro: Hotel Piccolo Mondo (Jun and Oct) / Hotel Orsa Maggiore (Apr and Sep)
Santa Maria di Leuca: Hotel Terminal
Gallipoli: Relais Corte Palmieri OR hotel 33 Baroni
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
Bikes
Bikes available on this tour, and included in the tour cost (reserved in advance at the time of booking):
- Standard bikes, 21-speed, men's or unisex frame
Bikes available to rent on this tour (reserved in advance at the time of booking):
- Electrically-assisted bikes*
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Bikes will be equipped with:
- Racks
- Travel bags
- Spare inner tubes
- Repair kit
- First aid kit
Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.
Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals.
Helmets:
Helmets are not available on this tour. We recommend that you bring your own helmet or plan to purchase on upon arrival.
Dates
Apr 27; Jun 22; Sep 7; Oct 26, 2024 (minimum 6 participants*)
*Please note that if the minimum is not met, the tour will still be offered on a "semi-guided" basis. This means the teacher/guide will be available on days 2, 3, 4, and 7. There would be a reduction in cost for this change in program if the minimum is not met.
Prices
Tour package
| Per person, double occupancy | €1950 |
| Single use room (1 person/1 room) | €2250 |
Bike Rentals
| Electrically-assisted bike | €135 |
Extra Nights, Lecce
| Per person, double occupancy | €67 |
Transfer
| Per person, from Lecce to Otranto (minimum 2 people) | €30 |
| Per person, from Brindisi airport to Otranto (minimum 2 people) | €45 |
| Per person, from Bari airport to Lecce hotel (minimum 2 people) | €90 |
Included services
- 7 nights in 3- and 4-star accommodations
- Breakfast; 7 lunches or dinners
- Luggage transportation
- 24-hour guide
- Local guide
- Standard bike rental
- 20 hours intensive Italian course, (with professional teachers)
- Wine, cheese and other typical product tasting
- 1 boat tour in Santa Maria di Leuca
- 1 cooking class
Surface and terrain
This tour takes place mainly on paved routes. Some shorter sections might be on gravel. You'll cycle through countryside and along the coast. The country roads will have very little traffic, while some of the coastal routes may have a little more traffic. Overall, the tour follows quiet roads and is accomplishable for all levels of cyclists.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airports: Bari Airport (BRI)
Nearest train station: Otranto, Italy
Tour end
Nearest airports: Bari Airport (BRI) and Brindisi
Nearest train station: Lecce, Italy
Tips on getting to and from your tour
Reviews
- ★★★★★ Bill Allured
A great way to experience Puglia in Italian
The bicycling was magnificent with varied and spectacular views. A vary civilized break for coffee and Italian language every day, along with delicious lunch stops (with more Italian) really illustrated the concept of “Slow Tourism”, which the local partner specializes in. Our teacher and guide, Giovanna, was a gentle and excellent teacher as well as guide. When thunderstorms were predicted, she anticipated possible stopping places so we were confident in our ride. The only down side was that we don’t know what to follow it up with next year, except maybe do it again!
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ victor dubugras
I’m Giovanna’s fan
In overall the experience was fantastic.
The region is beautiful, the wines great, nice restaurants, nice bikes and most of all our teacher Giovanna. I became her fan. When I returned home in Milan, I could understand Italian much better and speak a little.
If the group was bigger than ours, two families only, an end of the line additional guide to look after the low speed participants would make the front group biking experience more pleasant.
We also had a small accident with no big consequences that was handled by the guide and one participant that was a doctor. But if anything worst happened, I’m not sure what type of rescue would be available.
Me and my wife were lucky that the other family was fantastic. The bond was 100% and only happy moments all the time happened.
In other tours with other companies, there was always someone that became an unpleasant weight for the group due to the attitudes.
I recommend this tour.- What was the date of your tour?
- June 22, 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Rosemary McDougall
Best of both worlds: Italian language and cycling in Italy
What a fantastic tour! The rides were perfect and the teachers/guides were outstanding. Giovanna and Carla were the best Italian teachers, patient and helpful. The riding itinerary was challenging yet doable for all participants. The idyllic terrain from Otranto to Lecce showcased the Salento region and the spectacular views of both Adriatic and Ionian Seas completed the picture. All accommodations were great as well as the scrumptious Italian food and Orecchiette cooking class. Visits to various beaches helped to relax everyone along the route. An ideal tour for anyone interested in learning Italian and enjoying the scenery along the way while riding a bicycle (bici).
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 1-10
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- ★★★★★ Charlene Cestroni
Do it! You won’t regret it!
Loved, loved, loved it!! Giovanna, our guide and instructor was THE BEST!! She had varied teaching styles and lessons, addressed the different levels of proficiency well, and was a really fun person to share time with. She was very knowledgeable about the various cultural sites we visited and incorporated them into our lessons. Throughout the whole experience I felt like family. We literally spent time w different members of families of the tour operators and staff - you don’t see that everyday! The level of biking was easy. The excursions were excellent! I was even able to take a private yoga class at one location. The accommodations were very good. We were a small group so we were able to stay at a couple masserias - very charming. One had a couple small service issues due to lack of staffing but nothing significant. Masserias were Uber charming but the standout hotels for me were in SM de Leuca and Arco Vecchio in Lecce. I was always in a single room and they were all very nice, comfortable, and had showers bigger than a phone booth (important to me!) If you want to have fun, enjoy diverse experiences, do a little biking, and be immersed in the Italian culture and language (with support,) then this is the trip for you!! Thank you Giovanna and Salento Bici Tours for this incredibly fun experience. I can’t wait to hear about your next tour offering!
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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